Last Friday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has made an array of announcements to strengthen the institution of Gaon Burah and their welfare in the state.Besides increasing their honorarium the Goan Burahs have now been brought under the much needed safe umbrella of insurance coverage.Under   Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,in case of accidental death, the immediate kith and kin of the deceased Gaon Burah will receive Rs 6 lakh and on natural death Rs 2 lakh.Also, it will now be mandatory to invite them in every development meeting organized by the government offices.

This honour was long due given the noteworthy role GBs currently play in our society and will continue in the future that evolves. In our country where decentralization of power is construed as a key element in societal progress , the institution of Gaon Buras is a classic  example of democratic self-governance. It is no wonder that for hundreds of years they have served the state on developmental and judicial matters and are still retaining their importance.

If  decisive multiculturalism and cooperative federalism are what our Constitution strive , then it can be said it has flown seamlessly in Arunachal Pradesh , a tribal state in its truest sense keeping in mind the 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes we continue to have. Every tribe has their own unique cultural identity,  unique festivals and unique customary laws exercised by different tribal institutions.It is in this backdrop the importance of the role played by our Gaon Burahs comes for evaluation.

It has always been the observation of the social science researchers that, all the tribal people approach first to Gaon Buras institutions to resolve their disputes. Main reasons that have been perceived are- economic viability, ease of access, more transparency, more binding, no technicalities, no third party and ensures peace and harmony in tribal society.Thus , instead of knocking the doors of the courts where delay is an unwritten law , taking refuge in the institutions of the Gaon Burahs seems quite rational. The village where the GB is active and responsive is progressing in all fields, is a categorical and neutral observation.

If we just look at the existing and evolving roles our GBs, the true captains of Arunachalee society play, we can measure well their indispensability.From organizing village defence party, settling petty disputes at village and panchayat level as per local laws or precedents , encouraging village youths in social constructive works, protecting government properties, identifying criminals and reporting to police, discouraging people from  illegal business of opium, the list is perhaps endless.

With the above announcements by the CM our perpetual faith in decentralization & equality has once more been validated and will act as great morale boosters for our wise old men and women, the nuclei of Arunachalee society.